shame, self-care Ben Derrick shame, self-care Ben Derrick

Shame resilience.

Shame can be crippling and leave individuals feeling isolated and unworthy. Developing shame resilience is critical to living a life free from the entanglements of shame and being able to operate in freedom. This can be achieved by recognizing when shame is present, cultivating self-compassion, gratitude, and positive self-talk, and committing to self-awareness, ultimately leading to empathy and compassion for oneself and others.

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The Power of Journaling

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth, with benefits including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, increasing self-awareness, enhancing creativity, and strengthening relationships. From a Christian perspective, journaling can deepen our relationship with God and our understanding of ourselves. Journaling can help us embrace our imperfections and accept our true identity, leading to inner peace and fulfillment.

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Taking vs. Receiving

The scarcity mindset can lead to a never-ending cycle of disappointment and frustration as it focuses on what you don't have rather than what you do. In contrast, receiving is about being open to what life has to offer you and approaching life from a sense of abundance. A life marked by gratitude and awareness of the beauty around us encourages happiness, purpose, and peace. Gratitude creates and kindles happiness in our lives and helps counteract negative emotions. Replace reaching for more with recognizing the moments that fill your soul and soften your heart.

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The 24-hr. Cycle

It's easy to become consumed by the demands of the present in today's fast-paced world, but this can take a toll on our emotional and mental well-being. According to the American Psychological Association, this can lead to anxiety and depression. To combat these issues, it's important to cultivate habits that promote a healthier lifestyle. Practicing self-care is also crucial in navigating life's challenges gracefully. By incorporating healthy habits into our daily lives, we can make incremental changes that lead us to a more fulfilling and purposeful future.

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The Journey Inward

The inward journey to God is a central concept in Christianity. It requires confronting our deepest fears, doubts, and insecurities and surrendering them to God. It’s this submission that leads to true freedom and a deeper relational connection. The inward journey helps us understand ourselves, our motivations and desires, and develop empathy and compassion for others. It also helps us develop a deeper understanding of God's love and grace by allowing God to heal us from the inside out.

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How to say what you want.

Communication in a relationship should involve compromise, listening to the other person's perspective, and being willing to find a solution that works for both parties. Before communicating your desires, take time to reflect on what you truly want and why it matters. Don't rush into revealing all your needs at once and instead take things one step at a time as trust builds in the relationship. Remember, relationships are a two-way street and finding a solution that works for both parties is key.

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The Window of Tolerance

The Window of Tolerance is a theory that explains how our nervous systems respond to stress and trauma. The "window" refers to the range of emotions and behaviors that are considered normal and healthy. When we experience stress or trauma, our reactions can fall outside of this window, leading to extreme emotional and behavioral responses. Having trouble keeping your cool in situations you feel shouldn't be that big of a deal? Understanding this window could help.

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Fantasy to Reality

The head/heart connection has always been strong, sometimes brutally so. Who hasn’t heard that song, smelled that smell, or visited that place? Interestingly, it's the experiences that often bring us the most shame that stick in our fantasy recipe. Even with this bitter ingredient, it feels we can’t help but go back for seconds.

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